The elemental energies in the Pandemonium intensified after the formations were completed. All who lived in the valley could feel the benefits of the formations.
At the centre of the Pandemonium was a huge Yin Gathering Formation, surrounded by a variety of demonic formations. Those who did not know the intricacies of the demonic formations would be greeted with catastrophic attacks as soon as they entered one. Even a Highgod would easily perish.
Aside from the buildings near the centre, the underground palace dug by the Earth Elite Zombie was also one of extreme grandeur. Most of those who lived in the underground palace were those closest to Han Shuo, such as the Five Elite Zombies and Rose. Meanwhile, Han Shuo's demon guards lived in those mountain chambers carved by the Metal Elite Zombie. Those buildings in the centre of the valley were prepared for the members of the House of Han in the City of Shadows.
During those two years, Han Shuo and the Five Elite Zombies had turned Pandemonium into an impregnable fortress. It was filled with such great dangers that even Luolong and his men dared not roam the valley.
Han Shuo's mind entered a state of total tranquillity as he focused all his attention on constructing the Demonic Formation. Unwittingly, his demonic yuan reserves had increased greatly. Han Shuo had a vague feeling that he was on the verge of a breakthrough, as if he was just one step away from the next realm.
His two avatars had also unexpectedly advanced to the Early-stage of the Highgodhood during this time. On one of the days when Han Shuo was completely absorbed in working on the demonic formations, his avatars suddenly became enlightened and gained a deeper level of insight into the energies of death and destruction. Immediately, the divine energies of death and destruction within his body began to transform.
In the span of just three days, Han Shuo's avatars had gone from barely understanding the nature of the deeper energies to ascending to Highgodhood!
And as the Avatars merged their Domain of Divinity, the extremely intense Element of Death swarmed towards Han Shuo and began to swirl into a hurricane that would engulf anything and everything in its path.
Han Shuo was not interested in exploring his new domain of divinity within the Pandemonium yet, as he did not want to risk damaging the unfinished formations. Instead, he continued to focus all his efforts on the construction of the Pandemonium.
Then, one day, the mega-construction was finally complete! His great vision of the Pandemonium had been realised.
Han Shuo gathered the five elite zombies, Rose, Romon, Zovic, Goron and all the demon guards, and began to explain the correct method of entering and exiting the Pandemonium. He also warned them not to wander around the valley, lest they fall into the deadly traps.
The two hundred or so demon guards led by Goron had come to realise the mysterious and treacherous nature of the Pandemonium. Some of them had accidentally stepped into a vicious demon formation and nearly lost their lives. They did not need Han Shuo to remind them to stay in their chambers.
"The pandemonium is complete. From today, begin to expand our territory around the valley. Conquer all regions and powers, large and small. If they are not willing to submit, kill them." After two years of silence, Han Shuo was ready to raise some hell. He wanted to mow down the many forces surrounding the Pandemonium.
The Pandemonium was located in a rather remote part of the Land of Chaos. Those who occupied the lands around the Pandemonium were scattered forces of the fringe, and none of them were followers of the Five Sovereigns. To Han Shuo, they were tiny ants that posed no threat to him.
The several dozen large and small demonic formations in the Pandemonium were arranged in a unique, intricate pattern that allowed them to work together to form the 'Demonnihilation Supercluster Formation'. When Han Shuo was inside the Pandemonium, he was able to greatly increase his power by using the cluster of demonic formations. Therefore, Han Shuo was confident that even if the Five Sovereigns joined forces to attack him inside the Pandemonium, he would be able to fend them off.
With such a defensible haven, there was no way that Han Shuo would not begin his conquest. His first step was to conquer the scattered forces around the Pandemonium. He could then consider expanding his territory further after those around him had been captured.
"Do not worry, Master. I will bring them to their knees!" said Romon with a mischievous grin. He had recently noticed an increase in the number of scouts lurking near the Pandemonium. These scattered forces were worried about the unexplained changes in the Pandemonium. Perhaps even if Han Shuo remained unaggressive, it would only be a matter of time before they knocked on Han Shuo's door.
"Good. Show no mercy to those who disobey!" ordered Han Shuo. The Fringe was a place where the strong were honoured. Only by shedding the blood of their enemies could they gain the respect of others.
Following Han Shuo's instructions, Romon, Zovic and Goron led the two hundred demon guards away from the Pandemonium and began their conquest.
Han Shuo, meanwhile, would remain in the Pandemonium. The first phase of the conquest would be so easy that he wouldn't have to fight on the front lines himself. He began to meditate, cultivate, and prepare for the impending demonic calamity. Han Shuo wanted to advance to the next realm to better face the threat of the Five Lords.
One day, while Han Shuo was meditating in the subterranean palace of Pandemonium, Rose went to him and reported, " "Master, I have received news from Luolong that Han Hao has destroyed another faction. The faction was led by a Light Energy cultivator who possessed Late-stage Highgod strength."
"Fantastic, he has made another breakthrough!" Han Shuo was elated at the news. "Two years ago, he mainly killed Mid-stage Highgods. But things have changed now. Haha, I bet he's giving a lot of those Fringedwellers a hell of a headache!"
Han Hao had not visited Pandemonium once in those two years. Ever since his followers in the Death Dominion had come to the Fringe, Han Hao had begun to strike fear into the hearts of the Fringedwellers. In the short time of just two years, a dozen or more forces, great and small, had perished at his hands.
Han Hao's reputation had also soared, and he became known as one of the most feared forces in the Fringe. Many of the Fringe's scattered godhunters submitted to his rule. Both his strength and the power he commanded had grown rapidly.
Ever since Han Shuo had established a good relationship with Luolong's master, Luolong had never failed to deliver news of important events in the Fringe, giving Han Shuo a good idea of what was going on there.
"Master, it is said that the power destroyed by Han Hao was a close follower of Salas!" Rose wore a serious expression and seemed worried as she said, "He had never attacked any followers of the Five Sovereigns before. Why would he be so rash this time? The Five Sovereigns are different from other powers. Will he be alright?"
Han Shuo was also worried after hearing these words. Almost no one would challenge the authority of the Five Sovereigns in the Fringe. Han Hao had killed a follower of Sovereign Salas and even left him exposed. This could possibly invite the Sovereign's retaliation! No matter how much Han Hao's strength had improved, he would still be no match for any of the Sovereigns. Therefore, Han Shuo couldn't help but be worried.
"Where was Han Hao last seen?" asked Han Shuo solemnly after muttering to himself for a moment.
"Venomfang Mountain," Rose replied.
"I will be away from the valley for a while. You and my five children will take care of the Pandemonium. And don't worry about being attacked. My children know how to operate the formations. Even if the Five Sovereigns come here themselves, they cannot easily break through our defences," Han Shuo instructed. Then he walked over to the Five Elite Zombies, gave them some instructions, and left the Pandemonium alone.
***
"Chief, what should we do? This guy turned out to be a follower of Salas. Salas will surely seek revenge by destroying us!" Arthurs, an Early-stage Highgod of Destruction, said gravely to the indifferent Han Hao, who was sitting cross-legged on a boulder.
Nearly five hundred Godhunters had gathered before Han Hao. The band of wild Godhunters had annihilated countless forces in the fringe. All of them wore respectful postures as they looked at Han Hao for guidance. Among them were the teenagers who had each paid Han Hao five hundred thousand black crystal coins in the Omphalos.
"It's no trouble. We just have to stay hidden for a while," Han Hao replied. It wasn't far-fetched to assume that Han Hao wouldn't react in the slightest if someone stuck a knife in his chest.
His followers found this behaviour admirable.
"But, Chief, we are talking about Salas!" Arthurs pointed out, "Salas is extremely influential in the Fringe and commands an extensive network of scouts.
Our numbers are great. It doesn't seem possible to hide all of us."
"Everyone will scatter across the Fringe. Do not gather without my orders.
If Salas strikes, he will come after me. He won't take the time to hunt you down one by one if you're scattered. And remember, never enter the Omphalos," Han Hao ordered after a moment's thought.
"Why? Isn't the Omphalos the safest place?" asked Arthurs after staring blankly for a moment.
"It's like throwing your life away. If one of Salas' followers discovers you in the Omphalos, they can make up an excuse to throw you out. By then, you will undoubtedly be dead," Han Hao explained before calmly instructing, "Disperse using the method I have taught you. Attack no one without my command. Now go."
As Han Hao commanded, the Godhunters broke into many small groups and quickly dispersed in all directions.
After all his followers had disappeared, Han Hao stood up. He gazed in the direction of the Pandemonium for a moment, as if pondering something, before heading off in the opposite direction.
Three days later, a terrifying bolt of lightning came out of nowhere. Sovereign Salas suddenly materialised on the very rock Han Hao had been sitting on. Electrical sparks flashed from his eyes as he surveyed his surroundings. A moment later, he took off again in the direction Han Hao had left three days ago.